Side shuttle apparatus and method for an injection molding machine

ABSTRACT

Servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machine includes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate is disposed adjacent at least one of a first mold half and a second mold half of the molding machine. A guidance assembly is coupled to the mold half and guides the shuttle plate linearly across a molding face of the mold half. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shuttle plate in a linear direction. An operation structure is coupled to the shuttle plate and is configured to perform an operation on a molded article disposed either in the mold cavity or on the mold core. The operation may include removing the molded article from a mold core, applying a label to a mold cavity, and/or closing the lid of a molded article while it is resident on the mold core.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to apparatus and method forperforming operations on one or more molded articles in one or more moldcavities and/or mold cores. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a side shuttle apparatus and method whereby various in-moldoperations (such as extracting the plastic molded articles from theirmold cavities or cores, applying labels to the plastic molded articles,providing various inserts into the mold cavity, closing a cap of amolded container, etc.) can be quickly and easily carried out.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] In the injection molding art, it is desirable to carry outvarious operations on the just-molded plastic articles while they arestill resident (or partially resident) in their respective mold cavities(or on their respective mold cores). For example, it would beadvantageous to provide structure for removing the just-molded articles,for adding product labels, for providing various structural inserts, forrotating or manipulating the molded article in some way, conducting partinspection using a vision system, in-mold decoration (e.g. priming,painting), transfer molded articles from one molding position to anotherfor progressive cavity molding, applying a barrier layer (e.g. oxygenscrubbing agent, etc.).

[0005] It would also be advantageous to provide structure to supportpre-molding operations such as conditioning of the mold or moldinginserts (e.g. heat and/or cool molding surface, apply a mold releaseagent, clean molding insert and vents using dry dry-ice cleaning). Allsuch operations would require additional structure coupleable to theinjection molding machine to perform one or more of these operations.Such structure would be embodied as an operative structure or toolingthat is mounted to a generic transport structure for movement of theoperative structure into and out-of the molding region to perform theirfunction. However, all such additional structure will add complexity,weight, maintenance requirements, and degrade injection molding cycletime.

[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,976,603; 5,518,387; and 5,709,833disclose a so-called Servo Swing Chute (“SSC”) structure whereby partsare removed from mold cavities by tooling that is mounted to a swing armtransport structure so as to swing toward and away from the mold toremove the just-molded plastic articles from the mold cavities. TheseSWC structures are typically mounted outboard of the mold cavities. Theoperation of these swinging tools requires relatively more time toextract the molded parts thereby increasing the cycle time (i.e.,additional time required to open the mold wide enough to permit thelarge swing radius dictated by either the swing arm and/or moldedarticle thereon).

[0007] The so-called side-entry robot/end-of-tool-arm (“EOAT”) mechanismis another variety of transport structure for moving tooling across theface of the mold to perform certain post-mold operations. Such transportstructure and tooling are situated outboard of the molds, typicallyadjacent the injection molding machine with the attendant size andweight disadvantages inherent in the fact that the tooling is of a sizerequired to service an entire mold face (i.e. must reach across theentire face of the mold) and has a robust and relatively massivestructure to accommodate the tooling over a relatively long translationstroke.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,173 discloses a molding apparatus includingoperative structure in the form of a carrier plate for receiving moldedarticles and holding inserts to be incorporated into the molded article,and further for transferring the inserts to the mold cores prior tomolding. The carrier plate is intended for use mounted to a typicalside-entry robot.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. RE 33,237 discloses an improved carrier platecooperating with an injection molding machine for handling hollowplastic articles from the molding cavities. Further, the structure andoperation of the side-entry robot is contemplated, a suggestedconfiguration including a platen mounted robot with pneumatically orservo driven tooling plate actuation, and with the further provision ofa carrier plate to a mold alignment device.

[0010] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,616,992, 4,679,997, and 4,784,592 are examplesof known devices for placing labels in the blow molds of a blow-moldingmachine. The devices include a transfer assembly mounted on a side-entryrobot that uses vacuum cups or grippers to transport the labels and/orblown article. However, these patents fail to disclose a slidingtransport structure that can be advantageously mounted inboard of themold.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,876 discloses a process and a device forinjection molding plastic cups having a label-shaped enveloping sheetintegrated therein. The label holder and handling device are of anintegral construction, pivotably connected to the mold core half. Thispatents fails to disclose a sliding transport structure that can beadvantageously mounted inboard of the mold.

[0012] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,351,630 and 4,340,352 disclose a device for thein-mold closing of a lid of a cap. The device includes a finger mountedinboard of the mold which slides between the mold sections in an openposition, and in the process, engages a portion of the article or thelid, rotates the portion or lid about the hinge, and snaps the lid shut.This patents fails to disclose a sliding transport structure that can becompactly mounted inboard of the mold.

[0013] Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/243,002,filed 13 Sep. 2002, and entitled “APPARATUS FOR CLOSING A HINGED MOLDEDPART”, discloses an apparatus and method for part removal from a moldand for the in-mold folding of a hinged molded part using a swing armmechanism. This application does not, however, disclose a slidingtransport structure that can be advantageously mounted inboard of themold.

[0014] Thus, what is needed is a new transport structure and relatedtooling and/or method for performing various post-mold operations onjust-molded plastic articles, which can reduce cycle time, reduce sizeand weight constraints, and offer great flexibility in the types ofpost-mold operations which can be carried out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a sideshuttle apparatus configured to be mounted inboard of a mold, andcapable of translating across a mold face in order to position toolingthereon with respect to mold cavities/cores (or an auxiliary station(e.g. drop chute)) to perform various pre and post-mold operations, anda method of using such an apparatus, which overcomes the problems ofprior art injection molding machines. The term “side” is not limiting asto the direction of movement of the shuttle structure. That is, theshuttle structure may move horizontally in horizontally-disposed molds,and may move vertically in vertically-disposed molds. Thus, the shuttlestructure will move in a direction substantially parallel with thecoplanar surfaces of the mold cavity and mold core faces.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention, moldingmachine side shuttle structure and/or steps are provided whereby ashuttle plate has a portion that is always disposed inboard of aperimeter of a first mold half of the molding machine. A guidanceassembly is configured to be coupled to the first mold half, and is alsoconfigured to guide the shuttle plate linearly across a molding face ofthe first mold half. A drive is configured to drive the shuttle platelinearly, whereby the shuttle plate is moved only linearly across themolding face of the first mold half. An operation structure is coupledto the shuttle plate and is configured to (i) remove a molded articlefrom one of a mold core and a mold cavity, and (ii) perform a furtheroperation on at least one of (iia) a molded article disposed in/on amold structure of the first mold half, and (iib) the mold structure ofthe first mold half.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, structureand/or steps are provided whereby a molded article work pieceapplication apparatus includes a plate configured to be coupled to amold portion. The plate includes a work piece application device that isconfigured to apply a work piece to at least one of a mold core and amold cavity. Drive structure is coupled to the mold portion, and isconfigured to drive the plate (i) such that the plate is driven only inone or more coplanar linear directions, and (ii) such that the workpiece application device applies the work piece to the at least one ofthe mold core and the mold cavity.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention, structureand/or steps are provided whereby molded article lid closing apparatusincludes a plate configured to be coupled to a mold portion, and alsoincludes a lid closing device that is configured to at least partiallyclose a lid of a molded article that is resident on one of a mold coreand a mold cavity. The plate also includes a molded article removaldevice configured to remove a molded article from one of a mold core anda mold cavity. Drive structure is configured to be coupled to the moldportion, and configured to drive the plate (i) such that the plate isdriven only in one or more coplanar linear directions, and (ii) suchthat the lid of the molded article that is resident on one of the moldcore and the mold cavity is at least partially closed.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, structureand/or steps are provided whereby a method of performing an operation ona molded article resident in at least one of a mold cavity and a moldcore in a molding machine, includes the steps of: (i) opening at leastone of a mold cavity plate and a mold core plate to expose the moldedarticle; (ii) moving a shuttle member only in one or more linearcoplanar directions across a face of at least one of the mold cavityplate and the mold core plate to a position to access the moldedarticle; (iii) performing an operation on the molded article while it isat least partially resident in the at least one of the mold cavity andthe mold core; (iv) moving the shuttle member only in one or more linearcoplanar directions from the molded article access position to a parkposition where at least a portion of the shuttle member is within aperimeter of at least one of the mold cavity plate and the mold coreplate; and (v) closing the at least one of the mold cavity plate and themold core plate while said at least a portion of the shuttle member iswithin the perimeter of the at least one of the mold cavity plate andthe mold core plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The advantageous structure and/or function according to thepresent invention will be more easily understood from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments and the appendedDrawings, as follows.

[0021]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an injection molding machine inwhich a servo side shuttle according to the present invention may beused.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the servo sideshuttle according to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a top view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a side view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0025]FIG. 5 is another top view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0026]FIG. 6 is another side view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative of the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a top view of the FIG. 7 alternative.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the core plate in another alternative thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the cavity plate of the FIG. 9alternative.

[0031]FIG. 11 is a drop detail view of the FIG. 9 alternative.

[0032]FIG. 12 is another drop detail view of the FIG. 9 alternative.

[0033]FIG. 13 is a combined core and cavity plan view schematic ofanother alternative of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 14 is a top view of the FIG. 13 alternative.

[0035]FIG. 15 is a plan view of yet another alternative of the firstembodiment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 16a is a plan view of still another alternative of the firstembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16b is a schematic planview of a close-up of yet another alternative of the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0037]FIG. 17 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0038]FIG. 18 is a top view of the second embodiment.

[0039]FIG. 19 is another top view of the second embodiment.

[0040]FIG. 20 is a further top view of the second embodiment.

[0041]FIG. 21 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0042]FIG. 22 is a detailed schematic view of the third embodiment.

[0043]FIG. 23 is a top view of the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0044] 1. Introduction

[0045] The present invention will now be described with respect toembodiments in which a plastic injection molding machine includes a moldwith an inboard-mounted side shuttle for numerous in-mold operationsincluding finished molded article handling. These molding operationscould be carried out in single face molds, stack molds, three and fourlevel molds, etc. Indeed the present invention may find applicability inthe molding operations in other kinds of molding such as stamping,die-cast, metal molding, etc., or anywhere efficient molded-parthandling structures would be beneficial.

[0046] As a brief overview to assist in understanding the followingdetailed disclosure, the preferred embodiments include a shuttle plateconnected to a first mold half by a guidance assembly for guiding theshuttle plate linearly across the molding face of the first mold half.The shuttle plate is driven by an appropriate motive means. The shuttleplate includes operations structure which can carry out variousoperations on the just-molded parts while those parts are still presentin their respective cavities or on their respective mold cores, oroperations on the mold cavities or cores before or after the liquidplastic has been injected into the cavities. For example, the shuttleplate could include suction cups which are used to extract the moldedpart from its mold core, move the molded part linearly, and drop thepart into a drop chute. Likewise, the operations structure can insert alabel into the mold cavity before the plastic is injected therein,and/or close the lid of a molded article that is resident on the moldcore..

[0047] The shuttle plate is preferably disposed inboard of the mold halfso that a small machine footprint is provided, and the shuttle plate mayhave a shorter distance to move. This results in a lighter weight andcompact design that can be operated more quickly and hence reduces cycletime.

[0048] The servo side shuttle (“SSS”) is configured to translate itstooling across the face of the mold (i.e. linear motion). The preferredin-board installation and related short stroke of the servo side shuttleprovides for a compact and relatively light weight design that againpermits faster cycling and/or permits handling of higher cavitationmolds at a lower cost relative to SSC and side-entry robot/EOAT tools.Further, the preferred inboard side shuttle installation provides forimproved tooling to mold cavity alignment for the sake of part handlingand/or work-piece inserting (i.e. no losses due to robot to machineand/or mold to machine alignment).

[0049] Three embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith respect to FIGS. 1-16 b, 17-20, and 21-23. FIGS. 2-16 b show theservo side shuttle structure used to remove molded plastic articles fromthe mold, FIGS. 17-20 depict that structure used to close a lid on amolded plastic article and to remove it from the mold, and FIGS. 21-23detail that structure used to place a label in a mold cavity forsubsequent placement on a molded plastic article. However, the shuttlemechanisms described herein may be used for other in-mold operationssuch as inserting other molded or non-molded structures plastic,composite, or metal into mold cavities or cores before, during, or afterinjection molding operations have been carried out, conducting partinspection using a vision system, in-mold decoration (e.g. priming,painting), pre-molding operations such as conditioning of the mold ormolding inserts (e.g. heat and/or cool molding surface, apply a moldrelease agent, clean molding insert and vents using dry dry-icecleaning, transfer molded articles from one molding position to anotherfor progressive cavity molding, applying a barrier layer (e.g. oxygenscrubbing agent), trimming or cutting the molded article, etc.Furthermore, any and all of the above described operations may becarried out in any combination and in any sequence in order to mold andhandle parts in a desired way.

[0050] 2. The Structure of the Molded Article Handling Tooling

[0051]FIG. 1 shows an injection molding machine comprising a base 100which contains the various motors and controls necessary for operatingthe principal parts of the machine (not shown). A first mold portion 102forms a mold cavity half, and a second mold portion 104 forms a moldcore half which is movable with respect to the first mold portion. Thefirst mold half 102 includes a mold cavity plate 106 which has aplurality of cavities 108 disposed thereon. The second mold portion 104has a core plate 110 which includes a plurality of cores 112. The secondmold portion 104 is slidably supported on upper and lower tie bars 114and 116, and is moved reciprocally along the tie rods by a ram 118.Depending upon the particular injection molding machine, the first moldportion 102 may be stationary or it may be movable. A servo side shuttletool 120 according to the present invention is disposed on the secondmold side 104. The shuttle tool 120 removes molded parts 122 from thecore half 104 and deposits them in the drop chute 124. The servo sideshuttle tool preferably includes a servo motor 126, a drive shaft 128,linear/rack mechanisms 130, shuttle plate 132, and suction members 134.

[0052]FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment which is used toinjection-mold plastic lids in a 4-level mold. The core plate 202 has amolding area 204 with eight mold cores 206. Stripper rings 208 surroundthe cores 206 and strip the molded articles off of the cores 206 in amanner to be described below. Support leader pins 210 are used to alignthe mold core half 202 with the mold cavity half (not shown). Harmoniclinkage 212 is used to open several molds in a stack-mold configurationat the same time.

[0053] Shuttle plates 214 and 216 are disposed, respectively, on theleft side and right side of the core half 202. Each shuttle plate hasfour arms configured to extend over and cover corresponding ones of thecores 206. For illustration purposes only, the left side of FIG. 2 showsthe shuttle plate 214 in the outboard or closed position, and the rightside of FIG. 2 shows the shuttle plate 216 in the inboard or openposition. In the outboard position, a portion of the shuttle plateextends outside of the perimeter of the core half 202, while in theinboard position the shuttle plate is entirely within the core halfperimeter. Nevertheless, in both the mold open position and in the moldclosed position, at least a portion of the shuttle plate is disposedwithin the perimeter of the core half, as shown in FIG. 2. Of course,each shuttle plate may comprise one or more planar members, rectangularcross-section members, circular cross-section members, wires, cables,articulated members, and be made of metals, plastics, composites, etc.

[0054] Servo motors 218 and 220 respectively drive the shuttle plates214 and 216 through respective drive shafts 222,224, and rack/linearrails 226,228 and 230,232. The servo motors 218 and 220, the driveshafts 222,224, and the rack/linear rails 226,228 and 230,232 arepreferably coupled to the core plate and/or the cavity plate. Eachrack/linear rail preferably includes one or more linear bearings 234,and is configured and disposed to guide the shuttle plate with a linearmotion with respect to a mold surface of the core plate. Of course, anyconvenient drive/guidance structure may be adapted for use in drivingthe shuttle plates.

[0055] Each shuttle is driven linearly across the face of the core plate(and/or the cavity plate) between the inboard/open position (also calledthe pick position) where it picks the molded article from the core, andan outboard or open position (also called the drop position) where itdrops the molded articles into drop chutes 236 and 238. In FIG. 2,numerous molded parts 240 are shown attached to shuttle plate 214,inside the drop chute 238, and exiting from both of the drop chutes 236and 238. The servo motors may be replaced/augmented by other drivemechanism such as mechanical drives, pneumatic drives, hydraulic drives,or drives coupled to the movement of the mold halves as they open andclose. Also, the shuttle mechanism may be used to perform any desiredoperation on the molded article while the molded article is fully orpartially resident on the mold core or the mold cavity. For example, alabel may be applied to the exterior surface of a just-molded plasticcontainer while that container is partially extracted from the moldcavity.

[0056]FIG. 3 is a top view of the FIG. 2 embodiment showing the molds inthe 4-level mold in the closed position. A core plate 202 holds cores206, while a cavity plate 302 has cavities 304. Parts 240 are disposedbetween the cores 206 and the cavities 304. A stripper plate 306 hasstripper rings 208 which strip the parts 240 from the cores 206 when thecore plate 202 is moved away from the cavity plate 302 by the moldopening structure. A first hot runner plate 308 and a second hot runnerplate 310 hold a hot runner 312 in a known manner. Each of the pickpositions on the shuttle plates 214 and 216 includes two suctions316,317 and 318,319, respectively. These suction cups are used to graspthe parts 240 from the cores 206. However, numerous equivalents to thesuction cups may be used such as vacuum channels, mechanical grippers,adhesive layers, electrostatic attraction/repulsion, magneticattraction/repulsion, etc.

[0057] The shuttle plates 214 and 216 are driven by the servomotors 218and 222 to move linearly between the cores 206 and the drop chutes236,238. Once positioned in the drop chutes, a vacuum is released and/oran interfering tab is disposed to drop the parts 240 into the dropchutes. Drive gears 320 are used to transmit the motion from driveshafts 222,224 to the rack/linear rails 226,228 and 230,232,respectively. In FIG. 3, a first mold section and a second mold sectionare symmetrical about line A-A, and the details of the second moldsection will not be further described. Likewise, a first mold group anda second mold group are symmetrical about a line B-B, and the details ofthe second mold group will not be further described.

[0058]FIG. 4 is a side view of the FIG. 2 embodiment showing the moldhalves in the closed position. The figure shows the servo motors 218,the core plate 202, the cores 206, the cavity plates 302, the hot runnerplates 308,310, and the hot runner 312. Secondary harmonic linkages 402are used transfer motion among the several pairs of mold core/cavityplates to ensure properly timed opening/closing of the mold plates.Since the mold halves are closed in this figure, the shuttle platescannot be seen. This advantageous feature allows the shuttle platemechanisms to be entirely housed within the profile of the closed moldhalves to keep the molding machine footprint to a minimum. The narrowclearance between core plate and the cavity plate provides sufficientroom for the rack/linear rail structures and the shuttle plates to“park” when the mold plates are in the closed position.

[0059]FIG. 5 is a top view of the FIG. 2 embodiment showing the moldhalves in the open position. In this position, the shuttle plates214,216 move inboard to a position where their suction cups 317,317 and318,319 can grasp parts 240 from the cores 206. Note the thin clearance(e.g. ˜50 mm) between the open core plate 202 and the cavity plate 302.The rack/linear rail structures 226, 228 and 230,232, and the shuttleplates 214,216 are configured to move within this narrow clearance topick the parts 240 from the cores 206, retract to the drop position, andthen drop the parts 240 into the drop chutes 236,238. This narrowclearance means that the mold halves do not have to open very much toeffect part removal. FIG. 5 also shows that the linear bearings 234 arewidely disposed on opposite sides of the drop chute 236, thus providingwide linear bearing support for the rack/linear rail 228.

[0060]FIG. 6 is a side view of the FIG. 2 embodiment showing the coreplate 202 and the cavity plate 302 in the open position.

[0061]FIG. 7 shows an alternative to the FIG. 2 embodiment in a stackmold in which a U-shaped stripper bar 702 (a part of the mold) is usedto strip the parts 240 from the shuttle plate suction cups 316,318 intothe drop chutes 236,238. The stripper bar 702 may obviate the need forany vacuum channels and vacuum control structure to remove the parts 240from the suction cups. The stripper bars 702 further forms a part ofdrop chutes 236,238 when the mold is closed and is configured to guidethe parts in the chute and hence eliminates possible interferencebetween falling parts and the suction cups.

[0062]FIG. 8 shows the FIG. 7 alternative in the open position. Theshuttle plates 214,216 have been driven inboard to position theirsuction cups 316,318 adjacent the parts 240 in preparation for pickingthe parts 240 from the cores 206.

[0063]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the core plate 202 in another alternativeof the FIG. 2 embodiment. In this alternative, shuttle plates 214,216comprise relatively narrow rectangular plates, each of which holds fourvacuum plates 902. Each vacuum plate 902 has three vacuum ports 904therein for grasping the parts 240 by a vacuum force. Vacuum tubes 906carry lower pressure air to the vacuum ports 904. A vacuum source (notshown) and control structure (e.g., a processor, solenoids, etc.) managethe vacuum in order to grasp and release the parts 240, as required.Stripper plate pistons 908 move the stripper plate in a known manner tostrip the parts 240 from the cores 206. In this alternative, each of thedrop chutes 236,238 has a movable portion 236 a, 238 a that moves withthe core plate 202, and a stationary portion 236 b, 238 b that remainsfixed with respect to the core plate 202.

[0064]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the cavity plate 302 in the FIG. 9alternative. Note the cut-outs 1002 which form spaces for the gears ofthe shuttle plate drive mechanism to park when the mold halves areclosed.

[0065]FIG. 11 is a close-up view of the drop details of the FIG. 9alternative, showing the mold halves in the open position. The hotrunner plate is adjacent the cavity plate 302, which holds the cavity304. The core plate 202 holds the core 206 and is moved relative to thecavity plate 302. The stripper plate 306 moves the stripper ring 208,which is shown in the figure in its mold-closed position (solid line)and its mold-open position (dashed line). The shuttle plate 216 movesfrom left to right to position its vacuum ports 904 to grasp part 240 tobe stripped from the core 240 by stripper ring 208 when the mold halvesare open, the shuttle plate 216 (with part 240 attached) moves fromright to left (supported by bearings 234) to a position above the dropchute 238 a, and the mold halves again close (to mold the plastic part),the mold closing action causing stripper bar 702 to strip the part 240from the suction cup 316 and drop into the drop chute 238 a. The dashedlines 1102 and 1104 represent the outer limits of the gears which drivethe shuttle plate 216. Dashed line 1106 represents a vacuum tubefitting, and dashed line 1108 represents the vacuum tubes used to graspthe part 240 from the core 206.

[0066]FIG. 12 is a close-up view of the drop details of the FIG. 9alternative, showing the mold halves in the closed position. This figureclearly depicts how the stripper bar 702 pushes the part 240 from theshuttle plate vacuum ports 904, and drops it into the drop chute 238 a.Note how the stripper bar 702 forms a portion of the drop chute to keepthe parts 240 properly positioned in the drop chute 238 a as theydescend through the chute. Note also how the shuttle plate mechanismsfit well within the vertical clearance between the mold halves.

[0067]FIG. 13 of another alternative of the FIG. 2 embodiment. Forillustration purposes only, the left half of FIG. 13 shows a core planview illustrating the part 240 transfer to the side shuttle 1306, 1308,and the right half of FIG. 13 is that of the cavity plan illustratingthe part 240 transfer to the drop chutes 1302, 1304. In thisalternative, each servo motor drives two shuttle plates, and thus servestwo rows of cavities. Of course, this alternative may be extended sothat each servo motor may drive three or more shuttle plates. Thisalternative also allows two of the shuttle plates to be disposed inboardof the drop chutes and the cavities.

[0068] In more detail, the cavity plate 302 includes sixteen cavities304 and four drop chutes (only the drop chutes 1302 and 1304 are shownfor clarity). Four shuttle plates are provided (again, only the shuttleplates 1306 and 1308 are shown for clarity), one shuttle plate for eachrow of cavities. Servo motor 218 drives both of the shuttle plates1306,1308 through the drive shaft 222, the rack/linear rails 228,228,and the gears 320. The shuttle plates 1306,1308 are drivensimultaneously in the direction of the black arrows C to drop the parts240 into the two corresponding drop chutes. In a similar fashion, anunshown servo motor moves the other two shuttle plates in the directionof arrows D to drop the parts 240 into the drop chutes 1302,1304.

[0069]FIG. 14 is a top view of the FIG. 13 embodiment. In the bottomhalf of the figure, the mold halves are shown in the open position, andfour drop chutes 1302,1304,1312, and 1324 are shown. The shuttle plates1306,1308 move horizontally between their respective pick positions totheir respective drop positions to drop the parts 240 into the dropchutes. In the top half of the figure, for illustrative purposes only,the mold halves are shown in their open position. Note how the core half202 and the cavity half 302 have cut-out portions for the shuttle platesand their drive mechanisms to park while the mold halves are closed.

[0070]FIG. 15 is a top view of yet another alternative of the FIG. 2embodiment. In this alternative, the stacks of cavities are offset orstaggered to allow adjacent rows of parts 240 to be transferred to acommon drop chute 236, 238 minimizing the mold size and thereby toconserve machine space and further reduce the machine footprint. A servomotor 1502 drives shuttle plates 1504 and 1508 in the direction ofarrows D, while servo motor 1503 drives shuttle plates 1506 and 1510 inthe direction of arrows E. The driving of the servo motors 1502 and 1503is synchronized so that the parts 240 from alternate columns of cavitiesare dropped into the same drop chute. This way, only two drop chutes236,238 are required to evacuate the parts 240 from four columns ofcavities or cores. This is called “compressing” four rows of cavitiesinto two rows of output. Note that this configuration allows all of therack/linear rail structure to be disposed within the periphery of thecavity plate 302.

[0071]FIG. 16a is a plan view of still another alternative of the FIG. 2embodiment. In this alternative, the rows of cavities 304 are notstaggered, but the shuttle plates 1602 and 1604 are driven in a diagonaldirection (arrows F) to a drop position over a single drop chute 1606thereby compressing adjacent rows of parts 240. This diagonal drive inaccomplished by the servo motors 1608 and 1610 driving respectivehelical/screw drive shafts 1612 and 1614 in the vertical directionindicated by arrow G, and the rack/linear rails 226 and 228 moving inthe horizontal direction indicated by arrow H. This configuration allowstwo columns of parts to be simultaneously dropped into a single dropchute. The driving is thus performed in more than one coplanar lineardirection. Of course, this alternative may be expanded so that eachservo motor drives multiple shuttle plates.

[0072]FIG. 16b is a side view of still another alternative of the FIG. 2embodiment for handling a part with a relatively long shallow draft(e.g. cup). The shuttle plate 1602 includes a jig 1616 which receivesand traps the molded part 240, either during a mold close stroke orpropelled by the stripper ring (not shown). The shuttle plate 1602 thenmoves the jig 1616 in the direction of arrow 16A, where it is positionedabove the drop chute 236. The mold closing stroke (or an intermediatestroke) causes a knockout mandrel 1618 to engage the molded part 240,thereby releasing the part 240 into the drop chute 236, as indicated bythe arrows 16B.

[0073] 3. The Structure of the Lid-Closing Tooling

[0074]FIG. 17 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the servo sideshuttle according to the present invention. In this embodiment, theservo side shuttle mechanism is used for another in-mold operation, suchas closing and/or snapping a lid on a molded plastic container. Whilethis embodiment will be described with respect to a two-shuttle-plate,two-column-cavity embodiment, any of the above-described alternatives ofthe FIG. 2 embodiment may be adapted for use in this embodiment as well.

[0075] In FIG. 17, servo motors 218,220 drive the respective driveshafts 222,224, the rack/linear rails 226,228,230,230, and the shuttleplates 1702,1704, in a manner generally similar to that described abovewith respect to FIG. 2. Molded parts (not shown) are dropped into twodrop chutes (also not shown) for evacuation in the direction of arrowsI. The movement of the shuttle plates 1702 and 1704 in the direction ofarrows J causes lids on the parts 240 on the cores 206 to be partiallyor fully closed, as will be described in greater detail with respect toFIG. 18.

[0076]FIG. 18 is a top view of the FIG. 17 embodiment showing the moldhalves closed. Core plate 202 includes cores 206, each core being shownwith appropriate molding structure 207 therein, such as dowels, corecaps, retainer screws, cooling channels, etc. The cavity plate 302includes a plurality of cavities 306, each including appropriate moldingstructure 307 therein, such as cooling channels, injection nozzles, hotrunners, etc. In the upper right portion of the drawing, the shuttleplate 1704 is shown positioned over the drop chute 238, with suction cup316 having just released part 240. Note that the part 240 includes abody 240 a and a closed lid 24 b.

[0077]FIG. 19 is a top view of the FIG. 17 embodiment showing the moldhalves open. Note that when the shuttle plate 1702 moves in thedirection of arrow K, some portion of the shuttle plate (to be describedmore fully below) contacts the edge of lid 240 b and swings it in acounterclockwise direction to a position where the lid is at an angle ofabout 90 degrees with respect to the main portion of the part body 240a. The part 240 is then stripped from the core 206 onto the suction cup316, and the shuttle plate 1702 will then move linearly to the dropposition, the lid 240 a will be snapped closed by closing structure(described in detail below), and the part 240 will be dropped into dropchute 236.

[0078]FIG. 20 is a blow up view of the FIG. 17 embodiment, in which thecavity plate 302 and the core plate 202 are in the open position. TheFIG. 20 structure can be operation in at least two alternatives. Inalternative #1, a pick-up tab 2002 is coupled to the shuttle plate 1702and picks-up the edge of lid 240 b and swings it to the 90 degreesposition when the shuttle plate 1702 moves in the direction or arrow K.Then, a stripper ring 2004 moves upward and forces the part body 240 ainto contact with a collapsing suction cup 2006. When the shuttle plate1702 is retracted in the direction of arrow L, a closing bar 2008, whichis mounted on the cavity plate 302, pushes the lid from the 90 degreesposition to a position of about 175 degrees (from it's initial fullyopen position). Thereafter, when the mold halves close again, a closingtab 2010, which is also mounted on the cavity plate 302, snaps the lid240 b shut, using the pronged protrusions shown in the figure. This samemold-closing motion also strips the part 240 from the suction cup 2006and drops it into the drop chute 236. Of course, the location of thepick-up tab may be varied to close the lid to any desired position,preferably one between about 90 degrees and about 175 degrees. Theclosing tab 2010 could also include an actuator for applying asupplemental closing force to the lid 240 b.

[0079] In alternative #2 of FIG. 20, the pick-up tab 2003 is disposed tothe right of the suction cup 2006, so that the motion of shuttle plate1702 in the direction of arrow K causes the lid 240 b to be rotatedclockwise to a position of approximately 175 degrees. Then, as thestripper ring 2004 pushes the part 240 onto the collapsing suction cup2006, the lid 240 b is snapped shut, and the shuttle plate moves in thedirection or arrow L to drop the part 240 into the drop chute 236. It isalso possible that the lid is not snapped shut when the suction cup 2006grasps the part 240, and in this instance, the closing tab 2010 could beused to snap the lid 240 b shut before the part is dropped into the dropchute 236.

[0080] 4. The Structure of the In-Mold Labeling Tooling

[0081]FIG. 21 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention in which the shuttle plate is used to deposit a label into thecavity before the molten plastic is injected therein. While thisembodiment will be described with respect to a two-shuttle-plate,two-column-cavity embodiment, any of the above-described alternatives ofthe FIG. 2 embodiment may be adapted for use in this embodiment as well.In the preferred stack mold, the servo motors 218,220 drive the driveshafts 222,224 which, in turn, drive the rack and pinion mechanism226,228,230,232 that moves serpentine-shaped shuttle plates 2102 and2104 into an open mold. There, a vacuum receiving mandrel and/or asuction cup on each shuttle plate receives the parts 240 from thecavities 206. Each of the shuttle plates 2102,2104 then moves out of themold and the mandrel transfers the molded parts to a vacuum beltconveyor (not shown) or a drop chute. When the shuttle plates 2102,2104are in their outboard position (when the mold halves are again closed),a floating plate 2106 attached to each shuttle plate (in a manner to bedescribed more fully below) moves over a work piece receptacle 2108 andpicks up a work piece for later transmission to the mold cavity.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the work piece comprises a label whichwill be affixed to the outside of the molded plastic container in amanner described below. However, the work piece may comprise othermaterials such as a container lid, a molded insert, a temperaturesensitive element, electronic circuitry, batteries, filter element,diaphragm, etc., or any other device which may be useful in the finishedproduct. The work piece receptacle 2108 preferably includes four vacuumports 2110 which are used to retain the labels in the receptacle. Thework piece may be inserted into the mold cavity (or core) before theinjection step, after the injection step, or in between injections ofdifferent layers (or other structure) of the molded article.

[0083]FIG. 22 is a detailed schematic view of the FIG. 21 embodimentshowing that each floating plate 2106 comprises an upper plate 2106 aand a lower plate 2106 b. For illustration purposes only, the top halfof FIG. 22 illustrates the mold in the closed configuration with theside shuttle parked, and the bottom half of FIG. 22 illustrates the moldin the open configuration with the side shuttle in the pick/transferposition. In the mold open position depicted in the bottom half of thefigure, the floating plates 2106 a,b are disposed between the core 206and the cavity 304. The top half of FIG. 22 shows how the shuttle plateand floating plate are safely disposed in the park position when themold halves are closed. Stacks of labels 2112 are held in receptacles2108 by vacuum, static electricity, gravity, or any other convenientmechanism.

[0084]FIG. 23 is a detail view of the FIG. 22 structure. In FIG. 22, thecore plate 202 and the cavity plate 302 are in the mold open positionwith a part 240 disposed on core 206 and about to be stripped therefromby stripper ring 208. The floating plates 2106 a, 2106 b are mounted onopposite sides of the shuttle plate 2102 with shafts 2302 and bushings2304 so that the plates “float” in the direction of arrow M. Springs2306 (or any other biasing means) are disposed between an upper surfaceof the shuttle plate 2102 and a lower surface of the floating plate 2106a in the manner shown to urge the floating plates to a home positionwith the part handling plate 2106 a biased away from the shuttle plate.In operation, the parts 240 being stripped by stripper ring 208 aregrasped by the suction cups 2308, the stripping action acting throughthe part 240 pushes the floating plates 2106 a, 2106 b towards themolding cavity 304 and positions the label 2310 at a predeterminedlocation. Thereafter, the label is released from suction cups 2309 intothe cavity 304 on the bottom (or other desirable surface location, e.g.,the side) of cavity 304, the stripper ring 208 is retracted, thefloating plates 2106 a, 2106 b return to their home position, and theshuttle plate is retracted to the part drop position. The stripingaction could alternatively be coupled between the floating plates 2106a, 2106 b through pins (not shown) that engage the stripper ring 208.The label may be held in place in the cavity 304 by means of vacuumchannels 2312 or other retaining means such as electrostatic charge.

[0085] In summary, the stripper ring 208 moves the floating plates 2106a, 2106 b downwardly as it ejects the parts 240 until the lower floatingplate 2106 b reaches the bottom of the mold and the labels 2310 held bythe suction cups 2309 can be transferred to the mold at the same time asthe previously molded parts 240 are transferred to the suction cups2308. When the floating plates 2106 a, 2106 b are back in the homeposition, the main shuttle 2102 is retracted from the mold and the parts240 are discharged into the drop chute and labels 2310 are loaded ontothe suction cups 2309 to prepare the shuttle for the next cycle.

[0086] 5. The Operation

[0087] The operation of the various structures according to the presentinvention have been described above. The overall operation of onemolding operation according to the preferred embodiments proceeds asoutlined below.

[0088] Steps:

[0089] 1. Inject molten plastic into the mold cavity;

[0090] 2. Open mold;

[0091] 2.1. Move shuttle to the pickup position;

[0092] 2.2. Part ejection/transfer to side shuttle tooling;

[0093] 2.2.1. (optional) Work piece (e.g. label) transfer;

[0094] 2.2.2. (optional) Intermediate mold full or partial closings toeffect transfers/operations;

[0095] 2.3. Move shuttle to the drop position, which may be the same ordifferent from the parked position;

[0096] 3. Close mold;

[0097] 3.1. Strip the part from the side shuttle tooling; and

[0098] 3.2. (optional) work piece (e.g. label) pickup.

[0099] 6. Advantageous Features

[0100] The servo side shuttle system offers gains in a reduction incycle time, an increase in mold cavities able to be serviced, reducedcapital investment, and improved positional accuracy. Specifically:

[0101] (1) In-mold handling/labeling of molded articles requires lesstime since the shuttle plate is inboard of the mold, and hence has ashorter distance to travel than a robot plate that must completely exitthe molding area. Further reduction of cycle time is possible where amultiplicity of servo side shuttles are provided on a single mold face(e.g. total horizontal travel is divided by two by having a left and aright side shuttle).

[0102] (2) The inboard handling of molded articles between their moldingcavities and the drop chutes with the servo side shuttle is asubstantially linear motion and has a reduced mold opening strokerequirement relative to inboard part handling with servo swing chuteswherein the articles are handled through a large arc and hence morespace between the mold halves is required.

[0103] (3) By example, an 8.5″ lid would require an opening stroke inexcess of the 10-12″ rotational arc to swing the part with aconventional swing chute whereas for the same part, the SSS wouldrequire only 2-3″ of stroke, and thereby provide a dramatic cycle timesavings from the reduced time required for mold stroking.

[0104] (4) By harnessing the movement of the mold stripperplate/ejection mechanism on the core side to interact with the shuttleplate to transfer the work piece into the mold eliminates an actuatorand related controller feedback and thereby saves on cost and weight,the weight savings and controller simplification (no signal delay timefor tooling plate actuator) provides potential cycle time savings.

[0105] (5) Known in-mold labeling systems are considered limited toservicing cavitations of 2×4 due to the size, weight, positionalaccuracy, and related stability of the robot arm, whereas the servo sideshuttle is able to handle cavitations of 2×8 or higher due to a stablein-mold installation, and a lighter and compact construction enabled bythe shorter stroke distance, shuttle weight (i.e. no onboard actuators).Further, typical standalone in-mold labeling systems lose precision dueto relative movements of robot/machine/mold, whereas the presentinvention contemplates inboard mounting (i.e. fastening everything tothe mold) for improved operating accuracy.

[0106] (6) The technology is not limited to in-mold labeling, but mayhave more generic use for introducing inserts into the molding cavity.

[0107] (7) The method of operating the side shuttle wherein the moldedarticles are handled from the molding cavity to the drop chute preservesthe orientation of the molded article that may advantageous forpost-molding operations such as stacking/packaging. Further, the inboardinstallation of the side shuttle and its inherent alignment accuracyprovides for the accurate orientation and placement of molding insertssuch as labels.

[0108] 7. Conclusion

[0109] Thus, what has been described is a servo side shuttle apparatusand method capable of providing a wide array of operations on in-moldarticles, which will greatly reduce the cycle time and cost of producingmolded parts.

[0110] Any U.S. and foreign patent document discussed above is herebyincorporated by reference into the Detailed Description of the PreferredEmbodiment.

[0111] The individual components shown in outline or designated byblocks in the attached Drawings are all well-known in the molding arts,and their specific construction and operation are not critical to theoperation or best mode for carrying out the invention.

[0112] While the present invention has been described with respect towhat is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to beaccorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and equivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. Molding machine side shuttle apparatus,comprising: a shuttle plate having a portion always disposed inboard ofa perimeter of a first mold half of the molding machine; a guidanceassembly configured to be coupled to the first mold half, and configuredto guide said shuttle plate linearly across a molding face of the firstmold half; a drive to drive said shuttle plate linearly, whereby saidshuttle plate is moved only linearly across the molding face of thefirst mold half; and operation structure coupled to said shuttle plateand configured to (i) remove a molded article from one of a mold coreand a mold cavity, and (ii) perform a further operation on at least oneof (iia) a molded article disposed in/on a mold structure of the firstmold half, and (iib) the mold structure of the first mold half. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operation structure isconfigured to perform the further operation on a plasticinjection-molded article that is disposed on a mold core of the firstmold half.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operationstructure is configured to perform the further operation on the moldedarticle that is disposed on a mold core of the first mold half. 4.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operation structure isconfigured to perform the further operation on the molded article thatis disposed in a mold cavity of the first mold half.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said operation structure is configured toperform the further operation on a mold cavity of the first mold half.6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operation structure isconfigured to perform the further operation on a mold core of the firstmold half.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operationstructure comprises structure configured to remove the molded articlefrom a mold cavity of the first mold half.
 8. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said operation structure comprises structure configuredto remove the molded article from a mold core of the first mold half. 9.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operation structure isconfigured to perform the further operation of applying a work piece toa mold cavity of the first mold half.
 10. Apparatus according to claim9, wherein said operation structure is configured to perform the furtheroperation of applying a label to the mold cavity of the first mold half.11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operation structure isconfigured to perform the further operation of applying a work piece toa mold core of the first mold half.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said operation structure is configured to perform the furtheroperation of moving a lid on the molded article.
 13. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said operation structure is configured to performthe further operation of applying an insert to the molded article. 14.Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first floatingplate and a second floating plate disposed on opposite sides of saidshuttle plate.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shuttleplate has a portion that is always disposed inboard of a second moldhalf of the molding machine.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a plastic injection molding machine.
 17. Molded articleremoval apparatus, comprising: a plate configured to be coupled to amold portion, and including a removal device that is configured to graspthe molded article from at least one of a mold core and a mold cavity;and drive structure configured to be coupled to the mold portion, andconfigured to drive said plate (i) such that said plate is driven onlyin one or more coplanar linear directions, and (ii) such that saidremoval device removes the molded article from the at least one of amold core and a mold cavity.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 17,wherein said plate comprises a plurality of shuttle plates each coupledto the mold portion such that a portion of each shuttle plate is alwaysdisposed within a perimeter of the mold portion.
 19. Apparatus accordingto claim 18, further comprising a drop chute configured to receivemolded articles from each of said plurality of shuttle plates. 20.Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said pluralityof shuttle plates is always completely disposed within the perimeter ofthe mold portion.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein saiddrive structure comprises: a servo motor; a drive shaft coupled to saidservo motor; a gear coupled to said drive shaft; and a geared linearrail coupled between said drive shaft and said shuttle plate. 22.Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the mold portion comprises atleast one of (i) a mold core plate having a plurality of cores disposedthereon, and (ii) a mold cavity plate having a plurality of cavitiesdisposed thereon, and wherein said shuttle plate includes a plurality ofarms disposed to access one of the plurality cores and the plurality ofcavities.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising: asuction cup coupled to each said arm; and a vacuum channel configured toproved low pressure air to said suction cup.
 24. Molded article workpiece application apparatus, comprising: a plate configured to becoupled to a mold portion, and including a work piece application devicethat is configured to apply a work piece to at least one of a mold coreand a mold cavity; and drive structure configured to be coupled to themold portion, and configured to drive said plate (i) such that saidplate is driven only in one or more coplanar linear directions, and (ii)such that said work piece application device applies the work piece tothe at least one of a mold core and a mold cavity.
 25. Apparatusaccording to claim 24, wherein said work piece application devicecomprises a label application device that is configured to apply a labelto an inside surface of the mold cavity.
 26. Apparatus according toclaim 25, wherein said label application device includes a labelattraction member to grasp the label.
 27. Apparatus according to claim26, further comprising a floating plate device having: a first floatingplate disposed on a first side of said plate and having a articlesuction member for grasping a just-molded article from the mold core; asecond floating plate disposed on a second side of said plate and havingthe label attraction member for grasping the label; and biasingstructure disposed between said plate and at least one of said first andsecond floating plates, and configured to allow said first and secondfloating plates to move in a direction orthogonal to a plane of saidplate as the mold core and the mold cavity move with respect to eachother.
 28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said drive structureis configured to move in a first direction to (i) move the articlesuction member to a position adjacent a just-molded article on the moldcore, and (ii) move the label attraction member, which is holding thelabel, to a position adjacent the mold cavity, and wherein after thearticle is stripped from the mold core, said drive structure isconfigured to move in a second direction to (iii) move the articlesuction member to a position to eject the just-molded article from themold, and (iv) move the label attraction member to a position adjacent alabel feed location.
 29. Apparatus according to claim 28, furthercomprising retention structure disposed adjacent the mold cavity andconfigured to retain the label within the mold cavity after the mold hasclosed.
 30. Molded article lid closing apparatus, comprising: a plateconfigured to be coupled to a mold portion, and including a lid closingdevice that is configured to at least partially close a lid of a moldedarticle that is resident on one of a mold core and a mold cavity, saidplate including a molded article removal device configured to remove amolded article from one of a mold core and a mold cavity; and drivestructure configured to be coupled to the mold portion, and configuredto drive said plate (i) such that said plate is driven only in one ormore coplanar linear directions, and (ii) such that the lid of themolded article that is resident on one of the mold core and the moldcavity is at least partially closed.
 31. Apparatus according to claim30, wherein the molded article comprises an injection molded plasticarticle that is resident on the mold core when the drive structuredrives said plate to close the lid to an angle of between about 90degrees and about 175 degrees with respect to an injection-moldedposition.
 32. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said moldedarticle removal device includes a suction member configured to extractthe molded article from the mold core, and wherein said lid closingdevice includes a tab member affixed to said plate on one side of saidsuction member.
 33. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein, after saidsuction member has extracted the molded article from the mold core, saiddrive structure is configured to drive said plate in a direction toplace the molded article adjacent a molded article evacuation location.34. Apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising a closingstructure coupled to the mold and configured to close the lid further assaid drive structure drives said plate the direction to place the moldedarticle adjacent a molded article evacuation location.
 35. Apparatusaccording to claim 35, further comprising a closing member coupled tothe mold and configured to snap the lid closed on the molded article asthe mold cavity closes with respect to the mold core.
 36. A injectionmolding machine, comprising: a mold cavity plate having a plurality ofmold cavities; a mold core plate having a plurality of mold cores; adriver for opening and closing the mold core plate and the mold cavityplate with respect to each other; injection structure configured toinject molten plastic into said plurality of mold cavities; molded partevacuation structure configured to evacuate molded articles from theinjection molding machine; and a shuttle device configured to movelinearly between the mold core plate and the mold cavity plate when theyare separated by a predetermined clearance, said shuttle device beingconfigured to extract a plurality of molded article from the pluralityof cavities or the plurality of cores, said shuttle device having atleast a portion thereof inboard of a periphery of the mold cavity platewhen the mold core plate and the mold cavity plate are in the closedposition.
 37. A injection molding machine according to claim 36, furthercomprising: a shuttle device driver; and linkage structure configured totransmit driving force from said shuttle device driver to said shuttledevice, to cause said shuttle device to move only in coplanar lineardirections.
 38. An injection molding machine according to claim 36,further comprising a plurality floating plate devices, each coupled to arespective said shuttle device, each floating plate device comprising:molded article grasping structure disposed on an upper surface of saidfloating plate device and configured to grasp a molded article from acorresponding mold core; molded article grasping structure disposed on alower surface of said floating plate device and configured to deposit awork piece in a corresponding mold cavity; and biasing structureconfigured to allow said floating plate structure to moveperpendicularly with respect to the linear direction of said shuttledevice, to grasp the molded article from the corresponding mold core andto deposit the work piece in the corresponding mold cavity.
 39. Aninjection molding machine according to claim 36, further comprisinglid-closing structure coupled to each said shuttle device and configuredto close a lid of a molded article when the molded article is residenton either the corresponding mold cavity or the corresponding mold core.40. An injection molding machine according to claim 36, furthercomprising a plurality of openings disposed in at least one of the moldcore plate and the mold cavity plate and configured to park theplurality of shuttle devices inboard of a periphery of the mold cavityplate when the mold core plate and the mold cavity plate are in theclosed position.
 41. Mold machine shuttle structure, comprising: aplurality of shuttle members, each configured to be coupled to a portionof the mold and to extract a molded article from one of a mold core anda mold cavity; shuttle guide structure configured to be coupled to theportion of the mold and to limit the movement of each of said pluralityof shuttle members to only coplanar linear directions, the coplanarlinear directions being substantially parallel to a face of the mold;and shuttle drive structure configured to (i) be coupled to the moldportion, (ii) drive each of said plurality of shuttle members in onlythe coplanar linear directions, and (iii) park each of said plurality ofshuttle members in a position where at least a portion of each of saidplurality of shuttle members is disposed within a periphery of the moldportion when the mold is in a closed position.
 42. Molding machine sideshuttle apparatus, comprising: shuttle means having a portion alwaysdisposed inboard of a perimeter of a first mold half of the moldingmachine, for shuttling between the first mold half and a second moldhalf when the mold halves are in an open position; guidance means,coupled to the first mold half, for guiding said shuttle means linearlyacross a molding face of the first mold half; drive means for drivingsaid shuttle means linearly, whereby said shuttle means is moved onlylinearly across the molding face of the first mold half; and operationmeans coupled to said shuttle means and configured to (i) remove amolded article from one of a mold core and a mold cavity, and (ii)perform a further operation on at least one of (iia) a molded articledisposed in/on a mold structure of the first mold half, and (iib) themold structure of the first mold half.
 43. Apparatus according to claim42, wherein said operation means performs the further operation on amolded plastic article that is disposed in a mold cavity of the firstmold half.
 44. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said operationmeans performs the further operation on the molded article that isdisposed on a mold core of the first mold half.
 45. Apparatus accordingto claim 42, wherein said operation means performs the further operationon the molded article that is disposed in a mold cavity of the firstmold half.
 46. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said operationmeans performs the further operation on a mold cavity of the first moldhalf.
 47. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said operation meansperforms the further operation on a mold core of the first mold half.48. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said operation meanscomprises removing means for removing the molded article from a moldcavity of the first mold half.
 49. Apparatus according to claim 42,wherein said operation means comprises removing means for removing themolded article from a mold core of the first mold half.
 50. Apparatusaccording to claim 42, wherein said operation means comprises applyingmeans for applying a work piece to a mold cavity of the first mold half.51. Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said operation meanscomprises applying means for applying a label to the mold cavity of thefirst mold half.
 52. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein saidoperation means comprises applying means for applying a work piece to amold core of the first mold half.
 53. Apparatus according to claim 42,wherein said operation means comprises moving means for moving a lid onthe molded article.
 54. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein saidoperation means comprises applying means for applying an insert to themolded article.
 55. Apparatus according to claim 42, further comprisingfirst floating means and second floating means disposed on oppositesides of said shuttle means.
 56. Apparatus according to claim 42,wherein said shuttle means portion is always disposed inboard of thesecond mold half of the molding machine.
 57. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said molding machine comprises a plastic injectionmolding machine.
 58. A method of performing an operation on a moldedarticle resident in at least one of a mold cavity and a mold core in amolding machine, comprising the steps of: opening at least one of a moldcavity plate and a mold core plate to expose the molded article; movinga shuttle member only in one or more linear directions across a face ofat least one of the mold cavity plate and the mold core plate to aposition to access the molded article; removing the molded article fromat least one of the mold cavity and the mold core; moving the shuttlemember only in one or more linear directions from the molded articleaccess position to a park position where at least a portion of theshuttle member is within a perimeter of at least one of the mold cavityplate and the mold core plate; and closing the at least one of the moldcavity plate and the mold core plate while said at least a portion ofthe shuttle member is within the perimeter of the at least one of themold cavity plate and the mold core plate.
 59. A method according toclaim 58, wherein said removing step performs the removing operation ona plastic injection-molded article that is disposed on a mold core ofthe mold core plate.
 60. A method according to claim 58, wherein saidremoving step performs the removing operation on the molded article thatis disposed on a mold core of the mold core plate.
 61. A methodaccording to claim 58, wherein said removing step performs the removingoperation on the molded article that is disposed in a mold cavity of themold cavity plate.
 62. A method according to claim 58, furthercomprising the step of performing a further operation on a mold cavityof the first mold half.
 63. A method according to claim 58, furthercomprising the step of performing a further operation on a mold core ofthe first mold half.
 64. A method according to claim 58, wherein theremoving step removes the molded article from a mold cavity of the moldcavity plate.
 65. A method according to claim 58, wherein the removingstep removes the molded article from a mold core of the mold core plate.66. A method according to claim 58, further comprising an applying stepthat applies a work piece to a mold cavity of the mold cavity plate. 67.A method according to claim 66, wherein said applying step applies alabel to the mold cavity of the mold cavity plate.
 68. A methodaccording to claim 66, wherein said applying step applies a work pieceto a mold core of the mold core plate.
 69. A method according to claim58, further comprising the step of moving a lid on the molded article.70. A method according to claim 58, further comprising the step ofapplying an insert to the molded article.
 71. A method according toclaim 58, wherein said removing step removes the molded article from amold core of the mold core plate at the same time an applying stepapplies a work piece to a mold cavity of the mold cavity plate.
 72. Amethod according to claim 58, wherein said shuttle plate portion isalways disposed inboard of a second mold half of the molding machine.73. A method according to claim 58, wherein said molding machinecomprises a plastic injection molding machine.
 74. A molded articleremoval method, comprising the steps of: driving a shuttle plate only inone or more coplanar linear directions; grasping the molded article fromat least one of a mold core and a mold cavity with a removal devicecoupled to the shuttle plate; and driving the shuttle plate only in oneor more coplanar linear directions to remove the molded article from theat least one of a mold core and a mold cavity.
 75. A method according toclaim 74, wherein the shuttle plate is always disposed within aperimeter of the mold core.
 76. A method according to claim 75, whereinthe mold portion comprises at least one of (i) a mold core plate havinga plurality of cores disposed thereon, and (ii) a mold cavity platehaving a plurality of cavities disposed thereon, wherein the shuttleplate includes a plurality of arms disposed to access one of theplurality cores and the plurality of cavities, and wherein the seconddriving step includes the step of driving the shuttle plate such thatthe arms of the shuttle plate are always disposed within the perimeterof the mold core.
 77. A method according to claim 76, wherein saidgrasping step comprises the step of grasping molded articles with asuction device coupled to each said arm and configured to grasp themolded article.
 78. A molded article work piece application method,comprising the steps of: driving a shuttle plate only in one or morecoplanar linear directions; applying a work piece to at least one of (i)a molded article resident in at least one of a mold core and a moldcavity, and (ii) at least one of the mold core and the mold cavity, witha work piece application device coupled to the shuttle plate; anddriving the shuttle plate only in one or more coplanar linear directionsto move the work piece application device to a work piece pick uplocation.
 79. A method according to claim 78, wherein said work pieceapplication device comprises a label application device, and whereinsaid applying step comprises the step of applying a label to an insidesurface of the mold cavity.
 80. A method according to claim 79, whereinsaid label application device includes a label suction member and anarticle suction member, and wherein said applying step comprises thestep of applying the label with the label suction member.
 81. A methodaccording to claim 80, wherein the first driving step drives the shuttleplate in a first direction to (i) move the article suction member to aposition adjacent a just-molded article on the mold core, and (ii) movethe label suction member, which is holding the label, to a positionadjacent the mold cavity, and wherein after the article has beenstripped from the mold core, the second driving step drives the shuttleplate a second direction to (iii) move the article suction member to aposition to eject the just-molded article from the mold, and (iv) movethe label suction member to a position adjacent the work piece pick uplocation.
 82. A method according to claim 81, further comprising thestep of retaining the label within the mold cavity after the mold hasclosed.
 83. A method according to claim 78, wherein said applying stepcomprises the step of applying a label to an inside surface of the moldcavity at a same time as the molded article is stripped from the moldcore.
 84. A method according to claim 78, further comprising the step ofclosing the mold core and the mold cavity, and wherein said closing stepincludes the step of causing the work piece application device to pickup a label from a label pickup location.
 85. A molded article lidclosing method, comprising the steps of: first, driving a shuttle plateonly in one or more coplanar linear directions; and during the firstdriving step, (i) at least partially closing a lid of a molded articlethat is resident on one of a mold core and a mold cavity, with a lidclosing device that is coupled to the shuttle plate, and (ii) grasping amolded article that is resident on one of the mold core and the moldcavity; second, driving the shuttle plate only in one or more coplanarlinear directions after the lid of the molded article is at leastpartially closed.
 86. A method according to claim 85, further comprisingthe step of, during the second driving step, further closing thepartially closed lid of the molded article, with closing structurecoupled to the a mold.
 87. A method according to claim 86, wherein themolded article comprises an injection molded plastic article that isresident on a mold core, and wherein the partially closing step closesthe lid to an angle of between about 90 degrees and about 175 degreeswith respect to an injection-molded position.
 88. A method according toclaim 87, wherein said plate includes a suction member configured toremove the molded article from the mold core, and wherein the partiallyclosing step includes the step of partially closing the lid using a tabmember affixed to the shuttle plate on one side of the suction member.89. A method according to claim 88, wherein, after said suction memberhas removed the molded article from the mold core, the second drive stepdrives the shuttle plate in a direction to place the molded articleadjacent a molded article evacuation location.